I’m trying to access a serial device from a computer that’s in a different room using Ethernet. I need advice on reliable ways to share a serial port over the network, including any recommended hardware or software solutions. My current setup isn’t working, so any tips or troubleshooting suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
If you want to control a serial device from across the building using Ethernet, you basically need to “tunnel” that serial connection over your network—no more long RS232 cables tripping everyone. Hardware boxes called Serial Device Servers (Lantronix, Digi, StarTech and the like) do this really well: you plug your serial device into the box, plug the box into Ethernet, configure it (usually via a web interface), and boom, that COM port is available across the LAN. Depending on the model you get you can run them in TCP server/client or virtual COM port mode. Super reliable, but the hardware’s usually not cheap.
If you don’t want to fork out for hardware or if you’re working virtually (or have USB-to-serial, etc.), there’s software that’ll do the trick. Highly recommend looking up Serial to Ethernet Connector—it creates virtual serial interfaces that redirect the traffic over the network. You install it on both ends; one PC “shares” the serial port, and the other can “connect” to it—making it look like a real COM port locally. I’ve used it for remote sensor data and it was surprisingly solid even over WiFi. Here’s a handy starting point that covers the details and setup guides: share serial ports over your network like a pro.
TL;DR: If you need bulletproof reliability and hardware isolation, buy a dedicated serial-over-IP box. If software’s good enough and you like flexibility, Serial to Ethernet Connector gets the job done nicely. Don’t try to DIY with homebrew scripts unless you want to chase obscure bugs for days.
4 Likes
Okay, so @vrijheidsvogel covered all the mainstream routes—hardware serial device servers and the usual software suspects like Serial to Ethernet Connector. Those options are solid, but let’s be real: not everyone’s ready to drop $$$ on hardware boxes, and some of the “free” software is fiddly or just works until it doesn’t (I’ve seen virtual COM ports mysteriously disappear mid-project, so yeah, proceed with caution).
Let me throw a few alt-routes at you in case the classics aren’t your thing:
-
Raspberry Pi as a Serial Bridge: If you happen to have an old Pi (or similar SBC) lying around, hook your serial device to the Pi, slap on ser2net (it’s in the Raspbian repos), and you’ve reinvented a serial device server for under $50. Super hacky? Maybe. Surprisingly reliable and ridiculously configurable? Yup. Plus, you SSH in and tweak stuff when needed—a win for tinkerers.
-
Remote Desktop/VNC: Totally depends on your use-case, but sometimes, just running an app on the PC that’s ACTUALLY plugged into the serial gear and remoting in is 1,000x simpler. No network tunneling, no “virtual ports,” just click and go, especially if you need GUI access.
-
Network Socket Scripts: If you live dangerously and don’t mind some CLI magic, Python scripts (pyserial + sockets) can get a job done in a jam. Wouldn’t trust this for a nuclear reactor, but for Arduino data or test bench gizmos, it can be DIYd in an afternoon. Don’t expect plug-and-play stability, though—stuff breaks, and you will grumble.
Now, gotta admit, I do reluctantly agree with @vrijheidsvogel: if you want something that looks/acts like a real COM port across your LAN, the Serial to Ethernet Connector app is pretty bulletproof in my exp, and wayyyy less hair-tearing than homebrew.
For anyone looking to try Serial to Ethernet Connector, just grab it from get started with Serial to Ethernet Connector now. Super straightforward download and install.
End of story: weigh budget, tinker-factor, and reliability needs, and pick your flavor of serial over ethernet pain. Shrug emoji.